Voting-machine.



G. W. HENNING.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION rlLBD PEB.11.1911.

1,080,444. Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

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miqht Tme Governor LtCqouernur Sheriff CNN( 3 v1 umdfoz G. W.. HENNING. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEBJI, 1911.

1,080,444. Patented Deo. 2, 1913.

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VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 113.11, 1911.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

10 SHEETSvSHEET 3.

G. W. HBNNING. VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.11. 191.1.

1,080,444. Patented Dec.'.2,1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

G. W. HENNNG.

I VOTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED PBB.11,1911.

1,080,444. Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

10 SHBETSSHEET 5 WMM/meow G. W. HENNING.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIGATloN FILED PBB.11;1911.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

O80 444. 1: 2 1Q SHEETS-SHEET a. :f77/.1 f5 /fr f5 @y l 4 zo' /26 w 74@ J F l@ @f 7g a' 75 M l 9 Pk A Y W( A Y l y 76 g Q, L/ 77 @7 7@ 70 7/ y /6 7 5/ 79 90 /If G. W. HENNING.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PBB.11,19111.

1,080,444. Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

www www G. W. HENNING.

VOTING MAOHINE.

APPLICATION FILED P12341, 1911.

1 ,080,444. Patented Dec. 2, 19123.

10 SHEETS--SHEBT 8.

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G. W. HENNING.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 213.11, 1911.

1 ,080,444. Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

10 SHEETSSKHEET 9A a mik/W j @2am a Hof/wu,

G. W. HENNING.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED 121313.11. 1911,

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

10 SHEETS*SHBET 10.

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imrrisi) STATE-s PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W.' -HENNING, 0F lSAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

'VOTING-MACHINE.

To .all whom-it may concern Be it known that I', GEORGE of which the'follo-wing is a specification.

This nvention'relates'to a voting machine of that type including a plurality'ofvoting. units removably mounted [in a cabinet and. `arranged in verticalrows according to the '5 elective offices. for which candidates: are to f be voted, and in horizontal rows according to the recognized 'parties who vhave nom1 nated candidates' for election, each unit comprising a stamp bearing a 'candidates name and a taperon which the vname is. impressed@ by each votoltfwliencasting his ballot, so that the votes will be accurately recorded. l

The invention has for oiieofyits ob]ects andioperation of machines of this charac-ter, so as| to be reliable and eilicient in vuse, readily manipulated by a voter of ordinary intelligence, and so designed that lstraight or split tickets can be voted, scattering ball lots cast and questions ,voted on.

Another object of the invention is the con-v struction of a` novel voting unit thatincludes means whereby a voter can cancela vote `which he might have cast by mistake, eachunit including registering mechanism on.

. which the vote is first counted on-and then counted off when such vote is canceled.

Another object of the invention is the em.

ploymen't of novel lock-out means whereby the corresponding candidates o-f'allthe other parties are locked out when a .voterA casts a ballot for one of the candidates in his selected party, so that it is impossible when voting a split ticket'for a voterl to castvballotsl for more than one candidate running for thesame office.

Another object is the provision of anovel interlocking mechanism whereby avoter must, ,as an initial step in votinga straight ticket, operate a device whereby all the .other units will be locked out of use to there? by prevent.y voting a straight'ticliet and at the same time casting ballotsbforindividual candidates.

effective and novel .resettings'or restoring cast `his vote, the units canfbe restored to Specification o'f Letters Patent.

in resetting lowered position.

Patentedn. 2, 1913.

Application led Febrnaryvill," 151.1. `Serial No. 607,967. f

v, I their original condition. in preparation for W. fHENis ING, a citizen of the United Statesresidingl at" vSan Jose, in the county of Santa Clara and', State of California',` have invented new.v and useful Improvements in Voting-Machinesr the next elector to cast his vote, the total number of votes being registered vat the same time by -means of a register operatively connected with the oicers restoring or resetting mechanism.

, Another object of theinvention is the provision of a pair of units for the .aiirmative for negative voting on` any question submitted to the electorate and the use in conjunction with such units, of a companion unit lock-out so that when a voter operates the laffirmative unit, the negative unit will be locked lout ot use, and vice versa.

Again, the invention has for one of its objects vtoemploy a uiiit lock which'is adapted tallyiihasbe'enll-:tk'en so that it will beimpossible Ato operate thel voting push button of 1 any unit 'or lto tamper with the registering to' improve and simplify the constructionmechanism without first removing the unit from the cabinet, and as the cabinet is prosures greater. security against altering the election returns or in otherwise tampering therewith. y

.In the -accom anying drawings, which illustrate one em odiment of the invention, Figure 'l is a ffront view ofthe machine with the cabinet door open and a View of the voting units removed. Fig. 2 is arear view 'of the machine with the rear cabinet door y partly broken away. Fig.`3.is a vertical secticntakenitoshow the voting units in' elevationl- Fig. 4 is a vertiealsection on line 'lk-4, immediately behind the interlocking mechanism and' looking toward thesanie.

`Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views of the voting'unit re-setting ii'iechanism. shown, respectively, in normally raised position and Fig. 7 is a view of the means for .holding the unit interlocking mechanism in that position where all the units except the straight ticket units are locked out of use. Fig. 8 is a ldetail view of the connection between the crank shaft of the resetting mechanism and the locking catches that hold the inlterlocking mechanism in locked position.

Fig. 9 is a side view of one of the units re- A Y j moved. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the unit. A further object is to provides. simple,

Fig. 11 is a view of the unit at the side opposite from Fig. 9 showing the parts in norpushed iii` to record a vote and the canceling 'to set atthe end of fthefelection after the l videdwith locked doors this .unit lock in--' bar locking dog being shown raised or released by dotted lines. Figa 12 is a similar view showing the par/,ts of the canceling device in the position they occupy immediately prior to the counting olf of the vote in the register that was counted on when the voting button was pushed. Fig. 13 is a similar view showing the tooth on the canceling bar en raged with the counting off ratchet wheel and in a position immediately prior to the tooth releasing the ratchet Wheel. Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view showing the gearing between the tape Winding drum and vote-registering device. Fig. 15 is a vertical longitudinal section ofthe unit. Figs. 1, i7 and 18 are horizontal sectional views showing the parts, respectively, in normal position in vote-registering position and vote-canceling position. Fig. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of the voting push button and stamp. Figs. 20, 21 and 22 are detail views partly in section showing the different positions of the ratchet and pawl device between the voting push button and tape-winding drum. Fig, 23 is a partial side View of the unit showing the unit lock in set position after an election has taken place so as to prevent tampering with the inachimvl to change the election. Fig. 24 is a vertical section taken through several superimposed units showing the manner whereby' the unit. that is operated. b v the voter locks out the remaining units of the same row. Fig. 25 is a view-of the total vote-registering device and showing its operative relation with the election olicers resetting mechanism. Fig. 26 is a view of the companion unit lock-out device 'for each pair of affirmative and negative question voting units. Fig. 27 is a side view partly in section of the-scattering ballot voting unit.

Siinila r reference characters are employed to designato corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the casing of a voting cabinet or machine which may he made of sheet iron or other suitable matt-rial and provided with front and rear doors l and *2 that are attached to the bottoni of the cabinet by hinges 3 so as to swing downwardly to a pendent open position and each door is provided with a lock 4. the loaf.' "n which is kept in the custody of thc elet ii board so that when the machine il. cio, and locked, ne one can tamper with .fl election retrrns after an election is rompa .ed and during the interii'n between elections, the. ma'. hine thus forming a reliable rect-r. it all times. Set

'- fv' is a front plate -f-r "i holes 6 for receivthathaf p1;`

ing tin party or candidate 'voting uniisB-.z a'itifinativeor ncgaliveoucstion voi -1 (l and C, and scattering ballot vi, units D. In tirH present iustance,the units B are arranged in horizontal rovvs.each row being used for a regular political-part and the units of all the parties are dispose in vertical rows that are designated with the title of the elective oiiice for which the candidates are running. The question units are disposed at the top of the cabinet while the scattering voting units are disposed at the bottom thereof. When the machine is in use during the election,`oniy the front door is open and the push buttons of the various units are accessible to the voters. Disposed from one side of the cabinet is an operating crank 7 which the velection oliicer assigned to the machine turns after each voter casts his ballot so as to reset or restore manipulated. In this manner, there is no 'chance for fraud to be conducted or the machine tampered with. After the election is over, the proper officials open the back door and make a tally of the votes cast for the different candidates, each unit being provided with a register that is located at the rear immediately in front of the door 2. At the top of the cabinet is a total vote registering device 2 which is operatively related with the mechanism which theelection otlicer operateslwhen he turns the crank, so that this registering will tell at a glance how many voters have cast their ballots.

The voting units B and C are constructed after the same principle so that the following description will apply to both.

Each unitconsists of a frame 8 that is a box-like skeleton structure having a front plate 9 which is provided with a slot 10 through which is exposed a card bearing the name of the'candidate whose votes are to be recorded in the particular unit, and under the slot 1() is a view opening 11 whereby the voter can see that his vote has been recorded on the ribbon or tape. VBelow the opening 11 is' still another opening 12 in front of which is disposed a base 13 that supports the voting and canceling push buttons 14 and 15, respectively, the former button being more conspicuous than the latter and properly designated if desired, so that the voter will'be less likely to press the wrong button when voting. On this base 13 are tubes or housings 16 and 17 through which the rods 18 and 19 of the respective,

push buttons extend, and in each vhousingr is a spring s, Fig. 19, so related to the push button rods as to normally hold the push buttons outward or in forward position. 0n the rear end of the is a stamp holder 20 located within the unittrame. and on this holder is mounted a swinging or oscillatory stamp 21 that has the name of the candidate thereon, the type ofthe stamp beit normally held against an inking pad Q2 into the hase. The pad is arranged in the holder 23 that has push button rod 18 rearwardly extending lugs 24 that are provided with longitudinal slots 25 orvreceiving the ends of a rod 26 that forms the laterally movable axis `on which the stamp swings or oscillates. `VThestam'p has spaced fingers or lugs 27 that coperate with pins 28 on the members 24 so that as the stamp i'stmoved backwardly by the pressing of the voting push button, the stamp will make a complege half turn so that the inked face or 'type thereof will be presented to a recording ribbon 29. The stamping meclranism is very much like an ordinary handoperated self-inking dating stamp common in office use. The type 29 moves over the front side of a fixed laten 30 that extends from one sidewall o the unit frame to the other Vand has a vertical front face on which the from the stamp. Thetape passeso tapey bears when it receives an impression a feed roll o r spool 31 that is removably mounted 'on a shaft 32 journaled in bearings in the side walls of the unit frame, said shaft having a cotter pin 33 which can be taken out when the shaftand spool are to be removed when a new recording tape or ribbon is to beapplied The ribbon unwraps from the .rear side of the spool and passes downwardly over the front of the platen and rearwardly under the bottom edge thereof and continues 'therefrom to a winding spool 'or drum 34. The winding drum for the recording tape is adapted to turn step by step as each vote is cast. On the shaft 35 of the drum is a ratchet wheel 36 with which cooperates a pawl 37 that is moved into operative engagement with the ratchet wheel by the voting' button 14 bein pushed inwardly so that the spring s, Fig. 1,9, of the push button, upon expanding, will cause the winding drum to turn one step to bring a new portion of the ribbon opposite ther stamp. The shaft 35 is fitted in a hole in the wheel '36, and this shaftis mounted in bearings in the side walls of the'unit frame and is removable longitudinally therefrom so that the recordin tape, when filled,'can be taken ofl' the win ing drum. The ratchet wheel is located within the unit frame and the shaft 35 has a squared portion 38 for receiving a large gear wheel v4() that forms on a element of a gearing that operates the rearstering device F 'fastened to the rear end o the unit frame. This gear wheel 40 is disposed outside `the unit frame and is held in' place by a knurled nut 41 which is taken ofi' when the windin drum isto be removed. It is intended t at-the winding drum shall turn not by the inward movement of the voting push button but when the election officer turns the crank 7. For this purpose, the locking means is provided in the form of a star wheel 42 that 'is fas tened to the end of theV shaft 35' opposite from the gear 40, and coperating with this star wheel, which is located outside the unit frame, isa detent 43 that is4 pivoted at 44 on the unit frame and ha'sa tooth 45 which ngages the star wheel. The datent has its rear end 46 projecting beyond thev u mt and is adapted to lbe operated by the resetting mechanism pnder the 4control of the election'oiiieer so as to raise the tooth of the dey tent out of engagement with the star wheel. The star tv,wheel being thus released, the spring s, .19, of the push button expands and causes the pawl 37 to turn the ratchet wheel 36, and consequently ,the winding drum one step. The pawl is operatively connected with a slide 47 that moves on flanges 48 at the bottom of the unit frame, and this slide is detachably connected. by screws 49 to a rearwardly-extending flange 50 on the stamp holder so that when the stamp is pressed inwardly, l'the slide moves with it. On the slide at one edge thereof is fastened a bar 51 that forms a support for the pawl 37. This pawl has a thin ,bardke shank 52 that slidably rests on the top surface of the bar or support 51. This shank has longitudinal slots 53 through which extend stops 54 in the form of screws threaded in the part 5l, which may be coiisidered as a portion of the slide, as it is fixed to and moved therewith. The slide is provided with a coiled spring 55 which has one end anchored at 56 to the slide, and-the other end formed into a finger 57 which engages behind a stop 58 onl the pawl. The stops 54 are so arranged with respect to the pawl that the slide has a limited movement before the pawl moves with it at the time the push button is pressed rearwardly, and dur-ing the last part of the movement of the slide, the pawl moves with it so that the tooth of the pawl will engage the suciieeding tooth of the ratchet wheel 36, the pawl being in the form of a spring so ast-o slide rearward-ly under the ratchet wheel from tooth to tooth.

During the final part of the movement of the slide, the stamp will make an impression on the vtape and as soon as the voter relieves that the pawl cannot move forwardly with the. push button and slide. sprlng. 55 moves with the slide, it still exerts a tension on the pawl in a direction to maintain the same engaged with 'the'ratehet 'wheel'36. The push button is prevented from moving its full range forwardly when the voter releasesthesame because the front stop 54 o f the slide engages the front end of the front slot 53 in the pawl andhe pawl Although the llao thus limits the first movement of the push button forwardly and hence retains the push button spring still under compression. As soon as the election oliicer operates the crank 7, the detent will be disengaged from the and register star wheel so that the push button spring will cause the slide 47 and pawl 37 to move together and turn the winding drum.

The .gearinlg between the winding drum i is of special design for the reason that the vote which is counted on the register by the manipulation of the voting button 14 must be counted olf when the canceling button 15 is manipulated. Behind the winding spool or drum is a shaft 59 journaled in the side walls of the unit frame, and on this shaft is a pinion 60 with which the gear 40 is in turn in mesh. Also on the shaft 59 is a ratchet wheel 61 with which engages a pawl ,62 pivoted at 63 on a large gear wheel 64 which, like the pinion 60 and ratchet'wheel 61, is loose on the shaft 59. The gear wheel 64 meshes with the pinion 65 on the shaft of the register F. Fastened to the shaft 59 to rotate therewith is an arm 6G that has a pin 67 passing through a slot GS in the gear wheel 64, the said pin being arranged to engage the pawl 62 and cause the latter to release the ratchet wheel 60 when a vote is to be counted oil" the register. The pawl 62 is normally held engaged with the ratchet wheel 61 by means of a spring 68 suitably arranged on the gear wheel 64. lVhen the winding drum turns, the shaft 59, the pinion 60, ratchcf wheel 61, pawl 62, and gear 64 move as a unit so that motion will be transmitted to the vote-registering device F, which latter is of the usual integrating type. During this transmission of movement from the gear wheel 40 to the pinion of the registering fdevice. the gear wheel 64- moves in clockwise -direction, Fig. 14. Upon the canceling of a vote, the shaft 59 is turned anti-clockwise upon the releasing of the canceling button, as will hereinafter appear, and as the result the pawl 6'2 is rst released from the ratchet wheel 61, as shown in Fig. 14, by the pin on the arm 66, and then the shaft 59, arm 66 and wheel 64, turn as a unit for reversing the pinion of the registering device to count off the vote previously registered. In other words, during the counting off of a vote by the canceling mechanism, the pinion 60 and ratchet wheel 61 on the shaft 59 remain stationary because the said pinion is in mesh with the gear wheel 40 of the winding drum, said drum being prevented from turning by the detent 43.-

The canceling device conslsts of a punch 69 arranged on the inner end of the push button rod 19 so as to perforate the record- Aing tape opposite the name which the voter,

by mlstake, has 'impressed thereon by previously pushing the button 14. .This 4punch is connected with a canceling bar 70 which slides in guides 71 on the side of the unit frame, and this slide moves rearwardly to the punch so that a tooth 72 on the rear portion thereof will be brought into coperative relation with a ratchet wheel 73 on the shaft 59. The canceling bar is composed of front and rear sections hingedly connected at 74, and normally the rear section is so disposed that the tooth 7 2 thereof is below and clear of the ratchet wheel 7 This tooth is maintained clear of the wheel during the backward movement of the canceling bar, and when the bar reaches the end of its movement, the rear end is snapped upwardly so as to engage the tooth thereof with the ratchet wheel and thus effect the turning of the wheel as the canceling push button spring expands when the voter releases the canceling push button. A light helical` expansion spring 75 is'connected to the rear portion of the canceling bar and also connected with the unit frame, the ends of the spring being located at opposite sides of the hinge in the canceling bar, and the spring has its axis at an oblique angle to the line of movement of the latter. As the canceling bar is pushed backwardly, the rear end would tend to swing upwardly and engage the tooth with the ratchet wheel and thus interfere with the rearward movement of the canceling bar. For this purpose, a lateral projection or stop 76 is arranged on the side of the unit frame so as to engage the top of the canceling bar and thus pre,- vent the latter from raising until the tooth on the bar has traveled the full length of one tooth on the ratchet wheel. At this time, the frontend of a cam slot 77 comes opposite the stop 76, as in Fig. 12, so that the toothcarrying rear end of the cancelingl bar can snap upwardly to engage the ratchet wheel. The slot 77. which is'in the inner side surface of the bar 70, is open at its front and rear ends in the top surface of the bar and normally the nin or stop 76 is adjacent the rear end of the slot. as shown in Fig. 1.1. The canceling push button. upon being released. will cause the canceling bar to slide forwardly with the rear end held elevated bv the fixed pin or stop 76 being disposed in the cam groove 77. and consequently the tooth 72 on the canceling bar will be maintained in engagement with the ratchet wheel 73 until the latter has moved far enough to count olf the vote previously added by the registering device F. At this instant,

the rear endvof the slot 77 will have reached the pin or stop 76 so that the rear section of the canceling bar will drop down from the position shown in Fig. 13 to .the normal position shown in Fig. 11, the spring 75 being normally without tension so as not to interfere with this dropping or releasin 0f the canceling bar from the ratchet whee 78.

odiwhen either push button The canceling operation cannot be carried on A Without the voting button having first been pushed inwardly. In doing this, a canceling bar locking dog- 78 is raised out of engagement. with a shoulder 79 on the front section of the canceling bar so that the canceling bar can move rearwardly under the elevated dog. This dog, which is `normally held in locking position by a spring 8O fastened on the inner frame, is secured to a pivot 8l which passes through the side wall of the unit fraaie and has fixed thereto a forwardly-extending finger or member 82 that rests on a cam or sloping surfaceS on the slide 47 so that as the slide moves rearwardly, the member 82 is raised so as t0 elease the locking dog 78 from the canceling Before the canceling of the vote and counting ofi' takes place. Vthe vote is counted on the register and this iselected by means of a slopin surface 84 orcam, which is arranged Wit in the unit frame but connected with the canceling bar, and itsy purpose is to ride under the lower end of the detent 34 in order to raise thelatter far enough to permitv the winding drum to turn by the voting button spring expanding, just the same as when the election oflicer operates the detent. This winding of the. tape takes place immediately prior to the canceling punch perforating the tape and prior to the tooth 72 on the canceling bar engaging the ratchet wheel 73 so that the tape will have ceased moving at the time the punching takes place, but. the pun-ch is so located that it perforated the tape opposite .the name that was previously stamped thereon when the voter erroneously pushed the voting button. Since the winding ofthe tape 1s. ac.- companied lby the turning of the register device F, it is obvious tha!A s sounv` as the canceling button has been pressed in itsfull distance and released, that vote will De counted off so that the numbenfshown on the wheels of the register' F Will be' the same as before. wardly so that its tooth 45 will normally engage the star wheel 42 and its lower end normally engage the cam 84 of the canceling bar by a spring'S, Figs. 10 and 15, disposed within the unit frame and having one on the deend bearing on a projection 86 tent. The cam 84 is attached to the canceling bar bv aA screw which forms the pintle between 'diev two sections of the canceling bar, and this screw passes through a slot- 87 in the side of the unit frame. In order to prevent improper operation of lthe unit is being manipulated, an automatic lock-out for the' idle push button is provided. 'This consists of a swinging member 88 pivoted at one en b a screw 89 on the front sect-ion of the ca ce ing bar and this member extends into the` .stamps of such units The detent is pressed downunit frame through a slot 90 in the side thereof and has its free end located within t-he path of a stop 91 on the slide 47. When the voting push button is pressed inwardly, the stop 91 engages the free end of the lockin'gmember 88 so that the latter prevents the canceling bar from being moved inwardly to its full extent because the member 88 vw-ill'strike the rear end of the slot 90.

' This end ofthe slot, together with the stop 91, prevents the member 88 from tilting as 1t has to do when the canceling push button is properly operated. It will thus be seen that the voting push 'button must first be released before the canceling button can be manlpulatedvto cancel the vote when an erro'r has been made or the voter changes 'his mind. When the canceling bar is pressed inwardly, the member 88 prevents the voting button from being pressed inwardly to its fll extent because the stop 9 1 on the slide 47 strikes the member 88 which is in a position to prevent the stamp from engaging the tape. This push button 1ock-out member 88'thus operates effectively on both push `buttons and prevents the improper recording or cancelingiof votes on the tape. y v

The three units ofthe part-y tickets nearest to the left are used for straight voting and in order to prevent any voter from ca sting a straight ticket and then voting for 1n'- dividual candidates of any of the parties, an interlocking mechanism for the units is employed. At the` rear side of the front Wall of the machine are horizontal bars 92 located between the horizontal row of uni-ts, and each bar is equipped with ingers93 so disposed as to slide into openings in the sides of the units reserved Ifor the individual candidates and thus engaged behind the to prevent the' voting buttons thereof from being pressed.' bars 92 are also provided with fingers 94 which extend into the units 'for the straight ticket voting to prevent the vot-ing ush buttons thereof from being operate These bars 92 are movableinvg'uides 95 on the frame of the machine and they are connected together by a vertical bar-96 so that all the sliding'bars 92 will move together to either lock all the straight ticket vunits or all the candidate unit tickets, depending upon the manner in which the voter intends to cast his ballot. ',lhe interlocking frame thus constructed is provided with a knob 97 that extends out of the front ofthe cabinet through a slot 98 and the interlocking frame by springs 99 in such a. position that l is hel the individual candidate unitscaremormally unlocked and the straight ticket unit-s locked;`

rl `he voter desiring to cast a straight ticket must then 'push thel knob 97 to the right before ressing the voting button on the straig t ticket unit Vfor his selected party.

The interlocking frame is adapted to be held These.

tion that it will engage the lower end of the catch releasing rod 102, and this lever is tilted by a snail cam 106 on t-he shaft 107 to which the crank 7 is attached, the snail cam and lever also acting to prevent reverse rotation of the crank shaft, which latter is mounted horizontally tothe cabinet at the bottom and rear thereof. Of course, when the voter wishes to cast a split or mixed ticket, he pays no attention whatever to the knob 97 but operates the push buttons for his list of candidates.

wWhen voting for individual candidates, it is necessary to prevent a voter from casting two votes for candidates running for the same oliice, and for 'this purpose, automatic locking means thrown in. operation by the pressing of a push button is provided. This means 'consists of `a vertically-sliding bolt 108 arranged within each unit frame on the rear wall thereof and is adapted to be raised by means of a. sloping surface or cam 109 on the top surface of the slide 47 when the slide is moved backwardly Yby the pressing of the voting button. Thisthrows the upper end of the bolt across the path of the slide 47 of the next superimposed unit and consequently premnts such slide from operating and a like movement occurs with all the other units above that unit being used. As the slide of the unit being voted is disposed in the line of the bolts,- it is obvious that the bolts of the units below that particular one can not slide l upwardly, and consequently such lower units will be also locked.

After the elector has finished voting, the election ollicer turns the .crank to re-set or restore the units. The turning of the crank causes the detents 43 of all the units to be actuated. Over the detents of each row ot units .is a horizontal bar or rod 110 that terminates adjacent the sides of the cabinet and the ends ofthese rods are all rigidly secured to vertical side members 111 so as to form a skeleton rectangular frame. These side members 111 have vertical slots into which project supporting brackets 112 on the sides of the cabinet so that the detent-operating frame can move bodily in a vertical plane. On the crank shaft 107 are eccen tries 113 which engage in slotted members 114 on the lower ends of the resetting frame, so that as the shaft is turned, the frame will be lowered and raised. The frame is normally in raised position and the otlicer makes one complete turn of the crank in order to cause the resetting of the units. from the side of the cabinet is a yielding stop 115 against which the crank strikes when one complete revolution is made, but when the crank is positively turned, the stop Will yield out of the path of the crank so as to olfer no obstruction to the movement thereof. This resetting of the units occurs simultaneously with the resetting or returning of the interlocking mechanism to its normal position.

The total vote registering device at the top of the machine includes a number-bearing ribbon 116 that unwinds from a spool 117 disposed behind a view opening 118 in the housing of this registering mechanism, so that one number at a time will be visible. This ribbon winds on a drum or spool 119 arranged in the casing of the registering devvice and on this spool is a ratchet wheel 120 with which engages a pawl 121. (Fig. 25.)

This pawl is connected with a lever 122 full crumed on the tdp of the cabinet and operatively connected with the top of the unit resetting frame so that every time the election ollicer turns the crank, the number tape or ribbon 116 will move one step to show at any time the number of voters who have cast their votes.

Referring now to the aflirmative and negative Vquestion voting units C and C', it will be noted that at the rear of the cabinet is arranged a tilting lock-out device 123 which is centrally fulcrumed between the said units, and the ends of this device are so ar- Projecting lin) ranged that the slide 47 of that unit which is operated will engage the adjacent extrem ity of the device 123 so that its sloping cam surface 109, shown particularly in Figs. 24 and 26, will cause the device 123 to be tilted so as to throw one end upwardly behind the slide of the inoperative unit so as to prevent the same from being manipulated. Normally, the device 123 held by a spring 124 in a position to prevent both question units from being operated simultaneously, but it is free to be tilted by one unit or the other to form a positive lock-out means for the unit attempted to be operated subsequently to that one which threw the lock-outr device into operation.

Each unit l) for scattered voting imfludwv a tape 125 on which the voter is adapted to Write the name of his chosen candidate who has not 'been nominated by one of the .1w-gir lar parties. The tape unwinds from .i `lpool 126 mounted in the unit frame and passifs over a platen 127. said platen being' disposed behind an opening 12H in the unit frame through which the voter writes on the tape, the said opening being normally closed by a swinging shutter 129 that is earA ried by a frame 130 arranged Awithin thel unit and pivoted at 131, the lower portion of the frame being connected at 132 with the slide 133 which is connected with the push button 134. Thus, when the push but` t0n is pressed inwardly,'the shutter 129will swing downwardly and expose the-portion of the tape through the opening 128 so that the voter can write on the tape. The push button is normally held outwardly' by are- Iturn spring (not shown) in the guide .135

and consequentl when the push button returns to norma position, the shutter 129 l will swing upwardly to close the opening 128. The tape 125 winds on a drum 136 journaled at 137 at the rear portion of the` *button to 'return to normal pc'sitlo when the'voter releases the same.` This latch is adapted toi be released when 'the' election officer turns the crank .that controls the resettinggframe shown in Fig. 2. Attached to the latch 141" is a spring 143 which pulls the latch upwardly and holds the same in locking position. 'An arm 144 is pivoted on and extends rearwardly.A from the top of'the'unit frame and is connected by a link 145 with -t-he rear end of the latchy 141 and' on this arm 144 is an adjustable abutment 1 46, the said abutment beingengageable y.by .the lower rod 110Fig. 2, of the vre-.setting frame When the rod'110 moves-downwardly, it strikes the abutment- LLS, depressing the arm 144, link 145, and rear vend -of the latch 141. The slide 133 'can then move forwardly under the tension f of the `push buttons ring. In order to prevent overuavl df t e' winding drum, one

end oir thesame has s ur teeth 147 which engage a spring-presse pawl or brake lever 148. This lever willyeld when t-he p'ush button key causes the slide 133 to move forwardly.

After the election is over, the -rear door is opened so that the total number ofl votes for the straight ticketsV for the individual candidates and for questions submitted for vote are ascertained from the registering devices on the ends -of the units. The rear 4ends .of the units have duplicate cardsso that the resuits can be pro rly recorded under the names of the i tampered with, the election oicers lock the individual` imita by meansof a sliding bar A vidual cand`i` dates, etc. To prevent the units from. being 141, Figs. 18and 23, onV the side of each unit, the same having at its rear end a toothed member 142 that meshes when the unit is locked with the gear wheel 64,as shown in Fig. 23.I The front end of the slide is formed into a spring and is provided with an enlargement or head 1.42 which, as

shown in Figs. 16 and 17, bears normally against vthe side of the unit frame. While in this sition the spring ortion .of the sliding ar is flexed or un er tension so that when the har is moved to the position shown in Fig. 23, the head 142 snaps in behind the cannot be operated. It will thus be seen that should the cabinet be open at the front screws 144*il that are threaded in the adja- A cent side of the unit frame. y From the foregoing description, tak n in stamp of the unit so that the push button .,or rear, the registering devices could not connection with the accompanying :raw-

ings, the advantages of the construction'vand of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appcrtains, and while I have described the prmciple of operation of the invention, together with the apparatus which' I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have il? understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when'desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim y.as new, is

1. In a voting machine, the combination of means for holding an impression receiv'- ing element, a voting element movable into engagement with the element. a canceling element, and means controlled by and dependent upon the operation of the canceling element for moving the impression receiving element after the voting element moves out 'o'f engagement therewith and before the canceling `element engages the impression receiving element. Y

. 2. In a. voting machine, the combination vof a tape holding means, a voting element for impressing the tape, 'a vote canceling element movable into engagement with the tape, 'a winding drum for the tape, a pawl and ratchet mechanism between the voting 'elementand .drum.for` turning the latter step by `ste 'and a ,locking device for re leasably ho ding the drum and-permitting the latter to turn upon the return movement of the voti element and the cancelmovement of t e canceling element,

3. In a voting machine, the combination of a record tape holding means, a voting push button including a stamp for impressing the tape, a canceling eluding means for impressing the tape, springs for returning the push button, the stamp and impressing means being so related to each other as to require the ta-pe to move to bring the,v stamp impression into line with the canceling impressing means, and an operating mechanism for moving the tape. said mechanism being operatively related ivith the push button to cause the tape to move prior to the engagement of the canceling clement with the tape.

4. ln a voting machine, the combination ot2 a record element, a voting element 'for impressing the record element, a Canceling element for impressing the record element, means dependent upon the movement 0f the voting element to move the record element, a lock for normally1 holding the record element against movement, means for releasing the lock by the canceling element, and means under the control of an election oilicer for releasing the lock when the voter does not use the canceling element.

5. In a voting machine, the combination of a record element holding means, a voting element for impressing the record element, a canceling element for impressing the record element, means dependent upon the movement of the voting elementl to move the record element. a lock for normally holding the record element against movement. means for releasing the lock by the canceling element, means under the control of an election officer for releasing the lock when the voter does not use the canceling element. and a device to prevent the canceling element from being operated whil 'i voting element is being operated o1 vie versa,

o. n a voting machine, the combination of a record tape holding means, a voting element for impressing the tape, a canceling element for impressing the tape, push buttons for the elements, springs for returning the push buttons to normal position, a pivoted -dog arranged normally to prevent movement of the canceling element, means movable with the voting element for throwing the dog to release position and rendering the canceling element operative, a member pivoted on and movable with the canceling element. a lixed abutment with which Vhe member is adapted to engage, and a stop movable with the voting element and arranged to engage the said member whereby the latter prevents simultaneous movement of the elements into engagement with the tape.

7. In a voting machine. the. combination of a record tape holding means, a springreturned voting element for impressing the -push button inf i l l tape, a Winding drum, a ratchet Wheel connected with the drum, a pawl carried by the voting element for engaging the ratchet wheel during the impression movement of the element, a lost motion connection between tbe pawl and voting element whereby the pawl moves with the latter during a portion of each stroke thereof, a lock for preventing movement of the drum during the impression of the element, and means for releasing the lock to permit the drum to turn during the return movement of the voting element.

8. In a voting machine, the combination of a holding means for an impression-receiving element, a voting element movable into and out of engagement with the impression-receiving element, a device operated by the movement of the voting element for moving the impression element step by step, a registering mechanism for registering the number of times the voting element is operated, and a locking device adapted to be set at the end of an election for locking engagement with both the voting element and registering device.

9. In a votingl machine, the combination of a record element holding means, voting and canceling elements associated therewith, a registering mechanism for registering the votes impressed' on the record element, a canceling bar connected with the cancellng element and including hingedly connected sections, a wheel connected with the registering mechanism for turning the same to subtract a vote added by the movement of the voting element, means for moving the canceling bar into engagement withy the .vbeel when the bar reaches a predetermined position, and means for maintaining the engagement of the bar with the wheel during the elfective movement of the bar and to permit the bar to release the wheel at the end of its effective movement.

10. In a voting machine, the combination of a record element holding means, voting and canceling elements associated therewithgw a registering mechanism for registering the votes impressed 'on the record element, a canceling bar connected with the canceling element and including hingedly connected sections, a wheel connected with the registering mechanism for turning the same to subtract a vote added by the movement of the voting element, means for moving the canceling bar into engagement with the Wheel when the bar reaches a predetermined position. means for maintaining the engagement of the bar with the wheel during the effective movement of the bar and to permit the bar to release the wheel at the end of its etfective movement, a device normally preventing movement of the record element, and means movable with the canceling bar for releasing the device before the canceling element engages and after the voting element disengages the record element. 11. In a voting machine, the combination of a vote registering mechanism, a voting element for turning the same to count a vote, means for turning the registering mechanism backwardly to subtract a vote, a vote canceling element,.a sliding bar between the canceling element and said means and including hingedly connected sections, a device placed under tensionduring the sliding movement of the bar in one direction, and means operating on one section of the bar to hold the latter out of engagement with the said means while the bar moves in one direction, and into engagement with the said means as the bar moves in the opposite direction.l

l2; In a voting machine, the combination of a Vote registering mechanism, a voting element for turning `the same to count a vote, means for turning the registering 'mechanism backwardly to subtract a vote, a vote canceling element, a sliding bar between the canceling element and said means and including hingedly connected sections, a device placed under tension during the sliding movement of the bar in one direction, means operat-ing on one section of the bar to hold" the latter out of engagement with the said means while the bar moves in one direction, and a lock releasable by the voting movement of the voting element and arran ed to engage the.other section of the canceling bar to prevent movement of the canceling element before movement of the voting element.

13. `In a voting machine, the combination of a reciprocatory voting element, a reciprocatory canceling element, a stop on one element, a pivoted device on the other element with which the stop is adapted to engage, and a fixed stop with which the device engages whereby the device coperates with the stops for preventing simultaneous operation of the elements.

14. In a voting machine, the combination of a unit frame, a voting element within the frame, a canceling elementl exterior to the frame, said frame having a slot, a pivoted device on the canceling element extending through the slot and adapted to engage one end thereof, and a stop on the voting elcment adapted to engage the device and to eooperate therewith in the said end of the slot to revent simultaneous operation of the sai elements.

15. In a voting machine, the combination of a frame and a pair of affirmative and negative voting units disposed side by side and independently removable from the frame, each unit including a member movalie during voting, a lock for holding the meint in the position to which it is moved dnrin; -voting, and means controlled by the election ollicer for releasing the lock to permit the unit to re-set, with a lockout device mounted on the frame to remain in position while either or both units are removed and arranged to be operated by either unit Jfor locking out the other until the actuated unit is re-set.

16. In a voting machine, the combination of a cabinet, separate groups of straight and split ticket voting units individually removable from the cabinet with coperating mechanism mounted on the cabinet and remaining in situ while any or all of the units are removed, said mechanism consisting of the following parts, viz., an interlocking means for locking any group ot" units out of use, means under the control of an election oilicer for restoring the units to normal position after voting, a lock for holding the interlocking means in the position to which the voter has moved it, means for restoring the interlocking means when the lock is released, and means for releasing the lock by the movement of the restoring means.

17. In a votingmachine, the combination of separate groups of straight ticket and split ticket voting units, an interlocking mechanism for locking either group of units out of use, a mechanism under the control of an election oflicer for restoring the units to normal position after voting, a lock for holding the interlocking mechanism to the position in which the voter moved it, means for restoring the interlocking mechanism when the lock is released, and means for releasing the lock by the movement of the resetting mechanism, said interlocking mechanism comprising a bar for each group of units having a plurality of L-shaped fingers disposed between and each adapted to extend into a split ticket unit for locking the same, one finger having a portion adapted to control the straight ticket unit.

18. In a voting machine, the combination of groups of straight and split ticket units, an interlocking mechanism for locking either group of units out of use, means for holding the interlocking mechanism in the position to which the voter moves it, a lever connected with the said means for releasing the same from the interlocking mechanism, a resetting mechanism under the control of an election oiicer, a snail cam for actuating the lever by the resetting mechanism, means for turning the cam, Sald lever serving by engagement with the cam to prevent reverse movement. of the latter.

19. In a voting machine, the combination of groups of straight and split ticket units, an interlocking mechanism for locking either group of units out of use, means for holding the interlocking mechanism in the position to which the voter moves il. a lever connected with the said means l'or releasing the same from the interlocking mechanism. each unit having a lock for holding the voling mechanism thereof in tpredetermined p0` shaft under the control of an election officer 10 sition after voting, a resetting frame for refor turning the same. leasing all the locks of those units that 'have In testimony whereof I aiix m been operated when the voter casts his vote, in presence of two witnesses.

:e shaft operatively related to the resetting y signature frame for actuating the saine, a snail cam on GEORGE W' HENNING the shaft for tilting the said lever and co- `Witnesses:

fumrating with the latter for preventing Vre- M. E. PAGE,

fesse turning of the shaft, and means on the CHAs. A. PAGE.

oplei 024m: patent may be obtained for ve eents each, by addressing the Washington, D. C.

Commissioner of Patents, 

